Machinery manufacturers and suppliers are required to design and construct their products so that risks are eliminated, or reduced to a minimum, making it possible for workers to use machinery with the minimum risk to health or safety. It is a particular requirement that risks from noise emissions are reduced to the lowest level, taking account of technical progress.
Suppliers of machinery are legally required to provide information on the noise emission from their machinery if it exceeds a certain level, as follows:
- They must tell you what the noise level is likely to be at the operator position if it exceeds 70 dB(A) (or a sound pressure of 130 dB(C)).
- They must also tell you what the total noise emitted by the machine is if the operator position noise level exceeds 85 dB(A).
It may be possible to use this information in your risk assessment and to assess noise exposure if the information is relevant to your work.
As an employer, you have a legal duty to ensure that any equipment you purchase meets the Provision And Use Of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
See Health and Safety Summary Sheet A12.